Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke and Mirrors
Chap 5 The Search Begins
Book: The Royal Romance Finale AU
Series Premise: Hidden in the shadows, poised to challenge the status quo are enemies of the state. The loyalties and honesty of family and of friends will be tested. ‘Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.’
Catch up: Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist
Main Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi’
2nd Pairings: Leo Rys x Amalas, Drake Walker x F!OC Delaney Leigh
All characters belong to Pixelberry, except Delaney Leigh and Officer Alex Cossoy
Rating: M🔞*Series Warnings: NSFW material, sexual innuendo, adult language/swearing/drinking
Category: Alternate Universe/on-going series/angst/fluff
Words: 1971, Read: 10 minutes
Chap 5: The Search Begins
Chapter Summary: The search for Lena begins in Monterisso.
Music Inspiration: Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor/John Legend
A/N1: @choicesflashfics Week #23, Prompt #1 - “If there was ever anybody meant for me, it’s you.”
A/N2: Not beta’d - please excuse all errors
A/N3: This is my submission for Choices March Challenge, Prompt: “Forehead kisses”, @choicesmonthlychallenge @lovealexhunt
Catch up Here... Smoke and Mirrors Masterlist
Monterisso Royal Palace
As the Royal SUV passed through the entry gates of the palace grounds, Ellie excitedly bounced in her car seat next to Riley.
“Look mommy, Micaela’s palace!”
“Yes, princess, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Princesses Eleanor and Micaela were spending the week together while the search for Lena begins. Riley was looking forward to spending some one on one time with Queen Amalas, as well as, learning more about ‘Lena Rys’.
Unbeknownst to Riley at the time of planning, however, her husband had arranged for her to stay exclusively at the Monterissan palace for the week. Liam wanted his pregnant wife to stay out of the active search and be sheltered at the palace with guards while being away from him physically. He had made the arrangements ahead of time and without her prior consultation; which irritated her.
Riley wanted to take part in the search, but after hearing Liam’s concerns earlier in the morning, she realized that his concerns were justified.
Earlier that morning, inside the royal chambers aboard the royal yacht...
Riley was livid. She didn't want to be forced to stay behind in the Monterissan palace, under any circumstances. Her anger was focused on Liam, because he wasn't willing to come to a compromise with her on this issue.
“Why did you not tell me this before?”
“...because I knew that you would fight me on this. I needed to have the arrangements in place before we entered this country.”
Liam knew his wife. He knew that if she could, she would lead the search party with guns blazing.
“Let Interpol take the lead on this. The sooner we find this woman, the better. I will keep you informed with every detail as it happens. I promise, love.”
Riley glared at Liam and then looked out the window. He was right, but she still felt annoyed that being pregnant meant ‘sitting on the sidelines’ and not being productive.
The royal yacht had anchored, and she watched as Drake and Delaney were stepping into an SUV on the dock.
“Love, remember our wedding night?” Liam interrupted her thoughts and continued.
“One minute we were dancing in the ballroom, and then in the next moment, I was being told you were taken.
I had let my guard down...”
Riley turned to Liam, taking his hands in hers. “Liam, how could you have known that was going to happen? We cannot let the past dictate our future.”
“Yes, but only a fool doesn’t learn from his mistakes. Last night, I dreamt we were dancing, Riley, and I was holding you in my arms. Just like our wedding night. Then, just like that night, Bastien informed me that you were taken. The man I had entrusted with our safety. The man who is now incarcerated for treason.
I woke up in a panic.
The anxiety was back.
I could not breathe.
When I finally realized that you were lying next to me, sleeping peacefully; the relief was palpable. I think I had this dream as a reminder, to not take your safety for granted again. Ever.”
‘In the blink of an eye, just a whisper of smoke, you could lose everything, the truth is you never know.’
“Riley, I know that you are early into the pregnancy, but you need to take care of yourself.” Placing his hand on her baby bump, “and our babies.”
“After that dream, I knew what I had to do. We are not promised a tomorrow, Riley. If something was to happen to you, if I made the wrong decision for your safety, and you were harmed in any way; it would destroy me.”
Riley lovingly cupped Liam’s face and reached up to give him a lingering kiss. “If there was ever anybody meant for me, it’s you.”
Overcome with emotion, she hung her head. “I’m so sorry Liam, I am acting like a child.”
Liam looked down to her face and lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Gazing into her chocolate brown eyes, he gently wiped the tears that were falling on her cheeks.
Kissing her again, “my queen, when this issue is resolved, I think we will go on a vacation. Just you and me, Ellie, and these two little ones.”
“You have my attention, Liam.” Riley smiled, pulling his body close to hers.
“Mommy, Daddy, I am ready.” Ellie announced as she stood beside her nanny at the door.
Liam dropped his forehead to his wife’s forehead and whispered, “stay safe, my queen. I love you.”
“I love you too, my king, so much!”
“Oh, and love....I will take you anywhere you choose.” Liam winked and placed his hand on the small of her back, to guide her towards Ellie.
Riley turned to her daughter, taking her hand, as Liam reached for Ellie’s other hand. They walked together to the dock to the other waiting SUV. The royal guard opened the door for Riley, while Liam walked with Ellie to the other side of the@ SUV.
“Ok, Daddy, I will,” her blue sparkled as she looked up to her father.
After ensuring his daughter was secured in her car seat, Liam kissed Ellie’s forehead. “Take good care of your mommy, princess.”
After closing the door, Liam sighed as he watched his family drive off towards the Capital. He then turned to walk towards the other SUV to join Drake and Delaney.
***
The driver slowed to a stop; the security detail of the Monterissian palace moved into position surrounding the SUV carrying Riley and Ellie.
Amalas was waiting outside the palace doors, as the royal guard stepped up to open the door for Riley, as Ellie and her nanny followed.
***
Royal Monterisso Hotel
Walking into the opulent hotel lobby, Drake and Delaney were shown to the concierge desk for the check-in while Liam was ushered to a secure meeting room by the Interpol operatives.
“Your Majesty,” Officer Alex Cossoy, along with the detectives bowed.
“Gentlemen, ladies,” Liam answered in response.
Leo and Olivia were already seated at the conference table, when Drake also entered and sat down.
“Let’s get started.” Officer Cossoy began with a briefing on the current
situation and confirmed that the search party had narrowed the search area down to a five mile radius.
“A five mile radius from what point?” Leo asked, sitting forward to view the map of the area that was laid out on the table.
“That would be here,” the detective pointed to the map. “Five miles north of the city center, according to the last reported location,” the detective replied pointing to the map. On the screen the detective typed in the coordinates that they had received earlier from the local authorities.
Leo pointed to the harbor on the map. “Can you zoom in, here?”
“Yes, sir.” The detective moved a curser over the map, and a magnified
image appeared. Liam pointed to a large boat docked at the pier.
“Get the team down there now.”
***
Monterisso Royal Palace
In the garden, Ellie and Micaela and a bevy of stuffed animals sat at the table at their afternoon garden tea party.
Amalas went all out for the girls’ party, having the kitchens prepare finger sandwiches, petit fours with iced tea.
Both girls were wearing frilly party dresses with white knee high socks and Mary Jane shoes.
Ellie and Mikaela were giggling as they played with each other's hair, and then laughing as they ran around the table chasing after the same doll.
Riley and Amalas sat on lounge chairs on the terrace overlooking the gardens.
Amalas patted Riley’s leg comfortingly.
“How have you been feeling with the pregnancy?”
Riley smiled, “It’s going well so far. I’ve been a little emotional lately though.”
Amalas raised an eyebrow, looking at her friend.
“Oh, is anything in particular bothering you?”
Riley shook her head, “no, it's just these damn hormones.”
“Well, you are having twins. That means everything is doubled.”
Giving Amalas a smirk, “Liam and I are finding out the sex of the babies next week.”
“That's so exciting! Have you and Liam picked out names yet?”
“We started the day we found out we were having twins! Liam is beyond excited! For girls, we were thinking ‘Eliana’ and ‘Elise’. For boys. ‘William’ and ‘Stefan’.”
Riley continued, “Elise and Stefan were the names of my parents.”
“Oh, my goodness, those names are perfect,” Amalas smiled.
***
The team of operatives, dressed in black tactical gear were all armed with automatic weapons and bullet proof vests, and they were also equipped with GPS tracking devices.
However, Lena continued to evade the authorities.
Frustrated, Officer Cossoy kicked a storage container, sending its contents pouring onto the deck of the boat.
“Take it easy, Officer, Lena isn't in there.” Olivia cheekily called out to the annoyed Interpol officer.
“Damn it, I should have known this was another false lead!”
Olivia, who was walking with Leo behind the officer, overheard the comment. “What do you mean?”
“Well, intelligence reports suggested that the palace would be the most likely target area. I should have followed my gut.”
“Officer Cossoy,” as Olivia began to speak, he interrupted, “Alex, please call me Alex.”
“Alex, what is your gut telling you?”
“Duchess Olivia, I am positive that she has a connection in the royal guard in Monterisso through Bastien Lykel.”
As Liam overheard the words of the Interpol officer, the anxiety he felt last night returned. He needed to find Riley and get her and Ellie out of Monterisso now!
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